The Roar Deal

The only way is up... surely...

1-0 down three minutes in, an event that would normally shock the home fans into stunned silence or outraged cries, raised barely a flutter. Lets face it, its not like it was unexpected. As Wes pointed out on his blog ,The Roar have now scraped just 7 points from 7 home games. Not good enough for a team that was tipped to be in the mix for the minor premiership. For this alone Farina's sacking could be justified (not that things looked any better without him), but weather the decision is in the best interest of the club and the fans is a different matter. 

The Roar were an absolute mess, last to every ball, no structure, bunched and ball watching like the under 12's. Farina has been sacked, presumably for putting David dodd in the starting eleven, and yet here again, even in farina's absence the antelope in boots started again, bounding from one end of the Field to the other with child like enthusiasm and mind numbing pointlessness.

Farina's undoing has been his failure to put together a balanced team. The Roar are full of talent going forward, Henrique, Miller, Kruse, Van Dijk and Rienaldo have performed well even in the absence Michael Zullo. The Roar are so full of talented attackers that Smitts and Cernak have barely got a look in.  

Unfortunately the rest of the team has been a different story. Cruelly robbed of the services of Mackay and Murdocca for much of the season the Roar have looked a mess in midfield. David Dodd has run around with the heart of a lion and the head of a juvenile donkey with a learning disorder. Tiatto has struggled to hold himself together mentally and physically and Miller and Nichols have struggled to find the support they need in the absence of the the two Matt and Mass who traditionally do all the running.

Playing in a more advanced role than usual and despite looking short of full match fitness, Mackay was head and shoulders above the rest of the midfield. He seemed to be the only one moving off the ball and the only one capable of picking a diagonal ball to the forward line. Although Karlovic impressed with intelligent play, neat passing and penetrative runs when he finally made an appearance. Pity the Roar where already 3-0 down by that time.

However it has been the defence that has really let the Roar down this term. High pedigree on paper, the Roar's back four have shipped 18 goals so far this season, more than any other team apart from bottom of the table North Queensland. Most fans point the finger squarely at the towering, slothful Bob Malcolm, and it is true, the Scotsman is as about as safe as a pinada (only when he fails you don't get any consolation lollies). But the problem extends further with Andrew packer, the Roar's one specialist wide defender injured for most of the season, the Roar were forced to field four natural centrebacks  across the back line, robbing the team of width and forward drive. Although the short term signing of the impressive Franic has ameliorated this on the right, the Roar are still stuck with the ageing and immobile McJosh on the left. Even when the right footed packer returns the Roar will have two right sided full backs and no left footed wide defender.

The solution is to push Danny Tiatto back to left back but for that you need some depth in the midfield. 

It's going to be a tough gig Ange. We hope you can pull it off, surely things cant get any worse.  

Brisbane Roar v Sydney FC 27-9-09

The most encouraging thing about this game was the way the Roars built pressure patiently throughout the second half until the late goal came. This kind of highly functional, disciplined performance against a quality team is a new side the Roars' collective personality. They are usually more inclined to get over excited and push too hard too early at home, inevitably conceding on counter attack at some point.

It helped that Sydney came to play, in fact Sydney had the best of the first half by a whisker but the Roars hung on despite some excellent play lucky touches from Alex Brosque. Sydney looked like they were missing Aloisi and Bridge was missing everything.

As for the Roars, it was a solid game all round. Once again Ivan Franic was impressive and would push Craig Moore for man of the match. David Dodd had one of his best games yet (ok the bar is pretty low, so lets not get carried away). Sergio Van Dijk is just not as involved when he is used in this two up front system, however he keeps popping up with the goals, he is the goal mouth predator the Roar have missed all these years.  

The 7,500 odd in attendance will once again be the talking point. Sunday afternoon games are killing the A-League. Something needs to be done, because the football on the pitch has been the best ever but the scheduling of games is letting the code down.

Brisbane Roar 2 - Perth Glory 4 20-9-09

Or... More accurately, Brisbane Roar 2 - Brisbane Roar 4. It was like they still had their bibbs on and it was attack vs defence. Henrique, Reinaldo, Miller and Van Dijk trying desperately to score at one end, while Dodd, Malcom, McJosh and Liam Reddy trying to score at the other - Franic and O'connel seemed unsure of who's team to be on and Moore was pulling the last frustrated folicals from his scalp. The two new full-backs and they responded to this bizzare game in their own ways - Calum O’Connell looked understandabley confused on his Roar debut and seemed a little off the pace. While Franic on the other hand contributed well both going forward and in defense, ripping up and down the touchline, showing good touch on the ball and providing a couple of last ditch interceptions. He looks right at home at this level. 

In truth it was a cracking game - Perth are a a good side and the Roar showed plenty of character by working thier way back into the game in the second half. Running towards the den, the intensity and flair of the Roar's attack whipped the crowd into a frenzy of excitement as the shots rained in on the perth goal. Henrique, Miller and Reinaldo were particulalry outstanding and they were well supported by Van Dijk and Franic. There were two good penalty shouts turned down - one when Rienaldo was knowed of the ball in the box and a clear had ball during one of the numerous goal mouth scrambles. The crowd believed that the Roar would salvage a draw- at least - however the referee put a sour end to the comback.

The game decended into farce when the ref allowed Perth's last goal to stand after Liam Reddy had been rugby tackeld to the ground while leaping for a cross which slipped through his fingers. At this point the crowd began to boo, ripup their tickets and throw beer at one another - all while chanting "we are sh!thouse, Ole, Ole, Ole", "We're sh!t and we know we are", "Why the F#ck did we turn up", "Empty seets my lord, empty seats". In time the home end got on board the general air of bathos and saw out injury time by crooning "Lean on Me".

The crowd of 7,350 left very disillusioned as the game deserved the tight finish that was shaping up prior to the inexplicable goal. It is a pitty the referee had such an influence with the Sydney game next weekend.

But there is one thing more damadging and more ridiculous than the referee - The Sydney game has been moved from 4pm sunday to 3pm Sunday. After all the talk about early kick off's hurting attendance and the clear evidence that sunday afternoons are the least well attended matches - the decision to move the so called blockbuster to 3pm makes the Roar's back line look clever. Now these things are probabley controlled by TV and the FFA, but there will be no TV rights and no comp if the clubs all go broke. Grrrrr!!

Super Sergio - Roar V Fury 5-9-09

Brisbane Roar managed something no other team in the A-League has managed - they were comprehensively outplayed by North QLD Fury. Given the Fury's palpable lack of quality south of Robbie Fowler, this was some achievement, but in the end the Roar managed to be second best quite comfortably. 

Starting David Dodd was a masterstroke, however the game plan unraveled when Mitch Nicholls accidentally scored after valiantly throwing himself in the path of Van Dijk's goal bound strike. You cant blame the lad who was clearly making an honest attempt to salvage the Roar's chances of being the first side to loose to the Fury. Van Dijk, who at times looked like he was willfully trying to win the match, will no doubt have got a fierce dressing down from Farina after the game. If a team is going to loose to North QLD everyone has got to pull their weight.

Intriguing mini-games where also being played out, with David Dodd comfortably winning the battle with older brother Karl for worst Dodd on the park, but loosing ground in his struggle with Bob Malcolm to give away the most fouls on the edge of the area (largely due to being withdrawn at half time).  

In seriousness, it was one of the ugliest and least entertaining games the Roar have played. It is true that the team is probably suffering the worst injury crisis in A-League history, but is also true that the replacements just don't look up to the job. Some slack has to be cut for DeVere and Mundy who are playing out of position are are by no means the main problem, although Mundy's lack of a left foot did cause him some difficulties on a couple of occasions down the left touchline.

The main problem is in midfield where the roar lack... well they lack a midfield. The number of long balls last night was just a disgrace - there is no path through midfield with Tiatto spending much of his time deep with the defence and miller floating around up with the strikers, leaving Dodd running around like an overgrown Frank Spencer on Coke, shoulder barging falling over and hoofing it out to find touch.    

The team has no balance, in the second half Brisbane were fielding 5 center backs - good center backs too - Moore, Malcolm, DeVere, Mundy and Josh McCloughan. The only full-back on the park was Tiatto and he was playing in midfield.  

The Roars need to get more out of the wide defender going forward and reclaim the midfield. Malcolm's insertion to midfield at half time certainly improved things, he provided some stability and some surprisingly subtle defence splitting passes.Perhaps Malcolm could  be moved from central defence, were his partnership with Moore has been leaking goals, into midfield next to Luke Brattan. This would allow Tiatto to return to left back giving the Roar better width and drive from that position and allowing Josh McCloughan to slot into the center of defence where he and Moore have performed so well in previous seasons.  

It was encouraging to see Farina admit that it was a point stolen, hopefully the lackluster performance will be a catalyst for change. Until change comes, let's hope Sergio keeps popping up with the goods.

Brisbane Roar 1 v Central Coast Mariners 0 29-8-09

First win, first clean sheet and suddenly the Roar's position looks much more respectable. The crowd unfortunately was not very respectable at less than 6500 another record breaking poor performance.

Early on, the thin crowd reflected the current malaise currently surrounding the club. Seemingly disengaged, various pockets of the home support ran through half hearted renditions of "Where's our fans at?", "Oh Brisbane town, is f*cking hot", "We need a millionaire", "stand up if your mum's a wh*re", a charming (but amusing) ditty about Clive Palmer having a predilection for small boys and the ubiquitous "F*ck off Sydney".

After Craig Moore's bullet header the mood lifted considerably and morphed into a tipsy sunday afternoon in the park with good natured heckles, frivolity, ice-cream and even a heartfelt reprise of "lean on me", a nostalgic tip of the hat to last year's first home win.

Craig Moore may have scored the goal but it was the forwards who were the real stars of this show. Henrique seems to get better every week, he literally gives A-League defenders nightmares, jinking dribbling, turning, crossing shooting and running and running and running - all at bewildering speed. His amazing close control while running with the ball is unique in the A-League.  

Robbie Kruse had his best game to date playing much of the second half as a second striker in something approaching a 442. Miller was his usual creative self, providing enough wit and innovation to keep the Mariners' defence under the pump. However Serginho Van Dijk deserves the greatest plaudits, he just does not give the ball away.  A constant menace in the box, he consistently drew two defenders and used his strengthand skill on the ball to lay off to Kruse, Henrique and Miller who were all queuing up to receive. 

Despite the 1-0 score line, the Roar dominated and the Mariners should have been grateful for a stellar performance from Vukovic ("Punch the Ref, Punch the Ref, Punch the Ref for me") between the posts for keeping them in it.

There was an uncharacteristic patience to the Roar's play which helped them to maintain possession and shape, and one suspects helped prevent the late equalizer everyone in the crowd was fearing.

Reinaldo was given a rousing reception when he entered the pitch for the first time in over a year. The big man had some good touches and plenty of enthusiasm in the few minutes he had.

The challenge for the Roar now will be to find a way to put some results together without the injured Massimo Murdocca and Matt Mackay. The club with be without either for at least the next month perhaps two. M&M have been such a crucial part of the team, vital not only for their ability but their fitness which allows the Roar to play a high tempo game.  

Without them the midfield is much less mobile - the style will need to change as there is no way Miller, Dodd, Sarota and tiatto can emulate the all action M&M style. The team will need to be more structured and there will be a strong case for a deep lying play-maker to be employed. The player who fits the mold best is young Luke Brattan, it remains to be seen if he is ready to make the step up. He has the range of passing, vision and cool head required, however it would be a brave/foolhardy coach who placed such heavey responsibility on such young shoulders, particularly at a time in which results are so vital, not just to the table, but for the very existence of the club.  

Brisbane Roar v Wellington... yawn...

"Just wait, they are going to concede one in the 85th Minute" - Murph was worried that the Roar had been pretty much rubbish since going ahead early. No one dared to disagree - we have seen these guys play before. As the half dragged out it seemed increasingly likely that Wellington would pull one back and then, in the 85th, just as Murph was repeating his prediction, it happened. No one was surprised.

I looked to my right, Murph did not seem to know whether to smirk or fume.I looked left, robbie had his head buried in his hands... the English bugger does not even care about the Roar, he was crying for football. Rob had really only come along to drink beer and talk about the Ashes, but even he left unhappy. The game was ugly, the ref was awful, the result was disappointing and the 7000 crowd was pathetic and mostly made up of the half time kids' mums. "But Rob, you should have seen them last week againstt melbourne..." yeah sure. 

Having sent of two home town heroes in Farina nd Oar and yellow carding most of the Roars, the Ref got booed from the field and rightly so. It made us all feel a bit better... actually no it didn't... still, had to be done.  It did seem as if the 50/50's were all going Wellington's way and reviewing the replay has not diminished the indignation and disbelief felt when Tommy Oar was sent off minutes after arriving on the pitch. The standard of refereeing in the A-League is a big worry, it puts people off the game.

But to focus on the referee is to miss the real worry here - the Roars played badly and nobody seems to want to watch them. Van Dijk, Tiatto and Henrique were the only players who impressed. Neither Miller nor Nichols seems to be capable of playing the decisive role behind Van dijk they did last season. To be honest Mitch looks a little slow and could be carrying a few more pounds. Miller has definitely lost pounds but is clearly not match fit. Perhaps it is the style of play, perhaps they are missing Murdocca, perhaps the injury riddled preseason is to blame, but the Roars do not seem fit enough to go the full ninety.

Still, it's too early in the season to panic... isn't it?

Roar v Victory 15-8-09

Yes we did see the game,yes it was a classic, yes the A-League is on fire, yes we said Henrique had a lot to prove.. and he came up with the goods, yes the Roar's inability to go to plan B when plan A stops working is a worry, yes all the goals were spectacular (even Sergio's penalty), yes Hernandez did ok, yes the Roars missed Tattoo, yes David Dodd is still rubbish (and was wholly responsible for the equalizer after shoulder barging), no the Dodd was not real real problem - Melboune did not really start to come back until Nichols, who had been scurrying box to box all night, was replaced by Miller who seems to be skinnier but less mobile this season - perhaps lacking match fitness after recovering from preseason niggles.  

No it is not time to panic, the season is young, the team are playing well, and a point in Melbourne is a great effort by anyone's measure.  

Yes Gold Coast did ok... all that triangles, on the deck, back-heal stuff is a bit prissy... No they have no fans.

Brisbane Roar V Gold Coast Utd 8-8-09

Listen carefully for we shall say this only once… Congratulations Gold Coast and in particular Miron – they talked the talk then walked the walk (swagger that is). Gold Coast were comfortable winners despite having only 40% of possession (a statistic largely due to them reverting to a counter attacking system in the second half) rather than any kind of dominance from the Roars. Farina claimed that the Roars played well which is Boll*ks. Gold Coast were good – but the Roar were awful. They failed to create much and on the rare occasion when they did, they failed to convert.

Despite the disappointment for the Roar fans, who had been so excited and optimistic just hours earlier when the sun was shining and the sky siad "Roar", it was a great spectacle, great atmosphere and a great rivalry was born – all in brawl included. Some folks seem a little disappointed with the crowd of 19,000, but considering last season’s opening round only attracted 12,000, it is a great improvement. In fact the crowd was bigger than any in Brisbane for the previous regular season. Although the gold clad away support was smallish, the cheer that went up for each Gold Coast goal confirmed that there were plenty of Gold Coast supporters in attendance.

  Up front Robbie Kruse was arguably the Roar’s most creative player until Miller and Zullo came on, but Henrique still has a lot to prove despite inexplicably winning the man of the match award, presumably for being rubbish for less time that the rest of the team after his early substitution. Van Dijk was a frustrating as ever, muffing at least three good chances, one of which Reindaldo could have scored!

But it was the defence that really let the Roars down. After Packer went off in the early minutes, the Roar were left with a back line made up of four central defenders. Playing out of position on the flanks, McJosh and DeVere were unable to provide any attacking support for Henrique and Kruse. In middle the Moore and Malcolm were partnered in central defence for the fist time and it showed.  Farina’s decision to ditch the paring of DeVere and Moore which had been used for the majority of preseason smacked of fear – in the end the only Fear Malcolm was able to inspire was in his own fans… and comically, briefly in Shane Smeltz courtesy of a headlock. The decision to play Tiatto in midfield even after Packer’s injury was also negative, Tiatto was essentially deployed to intimidate and smother the classy United playmakers – something he comprehensively failed to do. It also denied the Roar his ability to attack from fullback and provide quality balls from wide to Sergio Van Dijk. Tiatto had a poor game, needlessly fouling (surprise) and never quite getting on the same page as Mackay. Packer’s injury also forced Tiatto to play the full 90 when clearly underdone.   

Ultimately the game was worthy of the historic occasion and will only fuel the rivalry between the two clubs. To be honest the Roars have always fitted the underdog mould well and that is firmly where they sit in this derby after the first encounter.

QLD Roar Youth v Roachedale Rovers

We have finally managed to put aside the disappointment of driving halfway across town and standing around in the freezing cold only to find out that not only had the last game of the Roar Roadshow kicked off before the advertised time, but that the Roar had only sent Rado Vidosic and his youth team.

Rovers seemed to be doing all the attacking in the first half. A speedy bloke on the left wing was having a particularly good night of it, going past his defender at will. On closer inspection, the defender in question turned out to be none other than Robbie Kruse, and he looked none to happy about the situation.

Kruse sulked about the place, half heartedly tugging at the speedy winger's shirt and arguing incessantly with goalkeeper Griffin Mc'Master who was clearly none too impressed with the cover he was getting from the right. Kruse was undoubtedly grumpy - but who could blame him? One of the few to impress in preseason, what was he doing playing completely out of position for the youth team while Charlie Miller and Co were at home on the couch in their snuggies?

Back to the football - the Young Roars were barely able to string three passes together while Rochedale played a direct game making particular use of their pace on the left wing, while several hundred brave souls stood in the cold with only Robbie Kruse's increasingly petulant displays of disgruntlement to entertain them.

Towards the end of the first half, youth coach Rado Vidosic gave up shouting "Too many touches! Too many!" at his players and instead turned to the well stocked bench and carefully explained that opportunities were going begging because the team were dwelling on the ball too long.

"I want to see two touches - second touch must be pass" he  reiterated.

At half time virtually the entire side was subbed and the game changed dramatically. Suddenly the Roar were dominating, moving the ball beautifully with two touch football, creating space and plenty of chances - well done Rado! After a super second half the Roars deserved their 1-0 win.

Two players stood out, Michael Angus at left back and Joshua McVey up front, both veterans of the inaugural National Youth League. I was impressed with Angus who defended well while also getting forward hugging the touchline to create a extra outlet wide, he looks to be an intelligent player with good pace and a great engine. Hoops' pick was McVey, who was given nothing to work with in the first half but after being subbed back on in the second half(yes that is how seriously this game was being taken), he was in the thick of things drifting out to the left and cutting inside and it was he who scored the only goal of the game with a perfectly placed long range effort.  

So thanks to the Junior Roar for putting on an entertaining show (in the second half anyway), but we are left wondering why Farina and the senior team did not appear as advertised. It is not as if the preseason has gone so well that the senior squad does not need the match time. Could it be that the injury crisis is worse than they are letting on? Was Farina worried that a potential loss to Rovers a week before the new season would have provided a knock out blow to the team's confidence?

The other mystery is almost as intriguing: What was Kruse doing there at all? Why was he playing in defence? Was he being punished? Did he loose a bet? Is he not being considered for for the Gold Coast game? (and if not why not we say!) Is the injury crisis so bad that he may play in defence against Gold Coast? - none of it seems plausible...

Roar 4 - Wolves 1

 The Roars mounted a come from behind win after the Wolves scored against the run of play shortly before half time. Only heroics from Wolves' keeper Adrian Ghidella  had kept the game scoreless to that point.  The Roar fielded a strong team With Mundy, Moore, Devere and McJosh in defence, Sarota, Nichols and Tiatto in midfield with Van Dijk up front and Kruse and Henrique alternating wings. 

Its comforting to see the 433 being used in preseason after watching Farina persisting with a midfield diamond for half the season last term only to return almost too late to the 433 which had been so successful for the roar in the previous season.  

Its never wise to draw too many conclusions from preseason matches (yep I'm looking at you Fury fans, its going to be ok... really...perhaps), the pitches are substandard (cow paddock today), the players are still regaining match fitness and the coaches are experimenting with lineups and tactics. However there were some interesting selection battles playing out particularly among the fringe squad members.

Lets start with the big one, Robbie Kruse. Having read about his impressive showing in earlier matches we were pleased to see Kruse in the starting line up and he did not disappoint. He appears to have put on some bulk and used his new found strength to bring a more physical approach to his game. Tracking back and holding of challenges, he appears less sulky and tougher (that might just be because he has ditched that head-band arrangement). He and the lively Henrique provided an almost constant threat from wide and were the main creators in the first half. We hope that Kruse can replicate this kind of form on the big stage as he is an entertaining player to watch.

Matt Mundy worked hard at right back bombing forward to link with Kruse at every opportunity. His distribution was a little erratic but his defending and endeavor was first rate. Although Mundy will have his work cut out breaking into the first choice back four, he looks to be the perfect versatile utility defender to provide cover right across the back four and will surely get plenty of chances to shine this season. Mundy brings a strong, all action physical presence to the right flank, the news is not good for Ben Griffin.  

Adam Sarota also covered plenty of ground but still appears a little light wight in the center of midfield. While he was tidy enough here, there must be doubts over his strength and pace at a-league level. 

Bob Malcolm came on shortly before half time for Tiatto (hopefully nothing serious there) and despite our secret wish that he would not, looked every inch exactly the midfield enforcer the Roar require. Early rumors that Malcolm was being considered primarily to partner Moore in central defence were disappointing given Luke Devere's outstanding progress, but here in central midfield Malcolm dominated, tackling well and maintaining possession with clever distribution. 

Isaka Cernak came on in the second half and provided plenty of headaches for the Wolfs wide defenders flitting from wing to wing and showing moments of outrageous athleticism. Expect Cernack to get some game time this season despite the heavy competition from Henrique and Kruse. 

Finally and perhaps most impressively, Luke Brattan came on for the last 15 minutes or so. It was TRD's first glimpse of the lad at senior level level and from his first touch he looked assured and capable. Slotting into a deepish role in central midfield, Brattan kept things very neat and tidy and even sent a series of accurate raking 30 yard passes out to Cernak on the left wing. He did not give the ball away once and played a significant role in the last goal by playing a cool pass to put Charlie Miller through to earn what seemed to be a pretty soft penalty. 

Brattan could be the suprise of the season. With Murdocca injured and Mackay not yet certain to return from China, Brattan's chance may come sooner than anyone expected but the 18 year looks ready for the challenge.  

With just over a month to go and such heavy competition for places, its hard to believe that Farina is clear on what his strongest team is - we certainly have no idea. The Celtic game will provide a tougher test for those on the edge.

Goals: Moore 1, Van Dijk 3.